For many users, choosing active speakers for a computer is a very difficult task. And this is not surprising, because there are hundreds of similar speaker models on the market, and information can now be gleaned from numerous sources – from articles in the online and offline press, and from manufacturers’ websites on the net. True, sometimes there is only a meager description and a list of practically the same technical characteristics for all models.
The user has no choice but to choose the acoustics that suits him. We will try to help you with this by explaining what you need to pay attention to in the first place, and what to treat with a grain of salt. We will also try to figure out what kind of sound you can hear from speakers of a particular class.
Classification of PC-acoustics by purpose
First, you need to decide: for what purposes do you need acoustics, and what are you guided by when choosing it? There are two main uses for computer speakers:
- To decorate a computer desk (the reasons may be different) and signal notification of operating system events (such as a welcome gurgle when the computer boots up and sounds the arrival of new ICQ pager messages). In this case, the appearance and design of the speaker cabinet have the highest priority.
- Acoustics is purchased for playing CD and MP3, sound in modern games, and for sounding a multi-channel track when watching DivX and DVD movies.
Criteria for choosing PC speakers
Consider the three most common circumstances based on which the choice is made:
- The most common approach when choosing acoustics is a limited amount of money allocated for the purchase. Very often, readers write letters to us or create topics in our Multimedia conference: “Which 2.1-set to choose in the category under $100” or “Recommend speakers for monitor gaming come in the range of $20-$50”. In this case, you need to remember that for such small amounts, a compromise between price, quality, and manufacturer’s fame is inevitable. You also need to understand that all multimedia speaker sets will never replace even the youngest models of household wooden Hi-Fi acoustics.
- Further. Computer speakers of the lowest price range (up to $25) are practically indistinguishable in sound quality, so it is advisable to choose among Low-End models solely in appearance based on your taste preferences. Of course, the above does not mean at all that more expensive kits sound equally good. Simply, as the cost of the product increases, there is a theoretical chance for the manufacturer to use more expensive and high-quality components.
- For some, when choosing, the name of the manufacturer is already enough. It should be noted here that this approach is not entirely correct. A brand that has established itself as a bona fide manufacturer in one area of computer components is not necessarily a leader in another. The fact is that the production of speakers is a separate area of \u200b\u200bproduction, which is usually handled by a completely different division of the company, or speakers are manufactured under contract by a third company (OEM). Also, if a company that has established itself for some time as a quality manufacturer of acoustics releases a new model, then it is not a fact that it will be of the same quality as the previous models. Yes, the chance is great, but no one will give a 100% guarantee in advance.
- There is also a category of people who choose exactly those kits that best meet their needs in terms of design, functionality, and sound quality. The price factor does not play such a strong role here, and people are ready to pay a decent amount for a worthwhile thing. And if, when choosing the appearance and design, everyone is his own boss, then there are many other issues that require the right approach and understanding.